Collapsible boat transport system

ABSTRACT

A collapsible boat includes a center pontoon and two side pontoons which can be moved toward or away from one another and toward or away from the center pontoon. The center pontoon is fixed in position and is accommodated by a cradle fixed in position on a trailer. The trailer includes two movable cradles which accommodate the movable side pontoons of the collapsible boat so that the trailer can be widened or narrowed when the boat is widened or narrowed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to a collapsible boat and a transportvehicle for transporting the collapsible boat. More particularly, thecollapsible boat incorporates relatively movable pontoons and thetransport vehicle includes supports for the pontoons which are movablewith the pontoons when the configuration of the collapsible boat changesbetween a wide boat configuration and a narrow boat configuration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] My U.S. Pat. No. 6,178,913, issued Jan. 30, 2001, and my U.S.Pat. No. 6,298,802, issued Oct. 9, 2001, relate to collapsible boatstructures, the latter patent also relating to a transport vehiclecooperable with the boat to support the boat when the boat changesconfiguration.

[0003] The following United States patents also disclose boat structureswhich can be collapsed to provide an alternate boat configuration: U.S.Pat. No. 3,925,837, issued Dec. 16, 1975, U.S. Pat. No. 2,876,728,issued Mar. 10, 1959, U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,169, issued Mar. 20, 1990,U.S. Pat. No. 3,978,536, issued Sep. 7, 1976, and U.S. Pat. No.2,992,444, issued Jul. 18, 1961.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0004] The invention disclosed and claimed herein includes a collapsibleboat having a plurality of boat deck panels similar in construction tothe boat deck panels shown in my prior patents indicated above. Incommon with the invention of U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,802 the presentinvention incorporates a transport vehicle for the boat and cooperabletherewith to support the boat while the boat is in wide and narrowconfigurations and also while the boat changes between theconfigurations. However, the present system is directed to a threepontoon boat and incorporates a combination of structural elements whichcooperate in a unique manner to move two side pontoons of the boatrelative to each other and relative to a fixed center pontoon duringexpansion or contraction of the boat.

[0005] The invention is directed to a combination including acollapsible boat having alternative first and second configurations,said collapsible boat being wider in said first configuration than insaid second configuration. The collapsible boat has a boat deck andincludes a center pontoon, a first side pontoon and a second sidepontoon, said center pontoon, said first side pontoon and said secondside pontoon being located below said boat deck with said first sidepontoon and said second side pontoon disposed on opposed sides of saidcenter pontoon.

[0006] The first side pontoon and the second side pontoon areselectively movable toward or away from one another and toward or awayfrom the center pontoon, said first and second pontoons being furtherapart from each other and from said center pontoon when said collapsibleboat is in said first configuration than when said collapsible boat isin said second configuration.

[0007] A transport vehicle receives the collapsible boat for supportingand transporting said collapsible boat on land when said collapsibleboat is not afloat, said collapsible boat being completely separablefrom said transport vehicle whereby said collapsible boat may be placedafloat completely separate from said transport vehicle. The transportvehicle includes movable first and second pontoon supports forrespectively removably receiving, accommodating and supporting saidfirst side pontoon and said second side pontoon when said transportvehicle supports said collapsible boat and additionally includes a fixedthird pontoon support for removably receiving, accommodating andsupporting said center pontoon when said transport vehicle supports saidcollapsible boat.

[0008] The combination also incorporates mover means for selectivelycausing movement of said first side pontoon and said second side pontoontoward or away from each other and toward and away from said centralpontoon and for substantially simultaneously selectively changing theconfiguration of said boat to either said first configuration or saidsecond configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible boat supported by atransport vehicle constructed in accordance with the teachings of thepresent invention, the collapsible boat being shown in non-collapsedcondition;

[0010]FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the transport vehicle andnon-collapsed boat.

[0011]FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but illustrating the boat incollapsed condition on the transport vehicle, the boat having a reducedwidth in the collapsed condition;

[0012]FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 with the transport vehiclesupporting the collapsed boat;

[0013]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the boat in non-collapsed condition,only the open framework of the deck panels of the deck being illustratedso that other boat structure associated therewith is shown;

[0014]FIG. 6 is an enlarged, partial sectional view taken along line 6-6in FIG. 2;

[0015]FIG. 7 is a greatly enlarged cross-sectional view taken along theline 7-7 in FIG. 6;

[0016]FIG. 8 is a greatly enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line8-8 in FIG. 1 and showing portions of center deck panels and hingestructure associated therewith;

[0017]FIG. 9 is an enlarged bottom view of the hinge structureinterconnecting the center deck panels;

[0018] FIGS. 10-13 are sectional, elevational views showing portions ofcenter deck panels of the boat along with mechanical linkage operativelyassociated therewith, the illustrated components being shown in thesequential relative positions assumed thereby as the center deck panelsmove from a horizontal to vertical orientation;

[0019]FIGS. 14 and 15 are top, perspective views respectivelyillustrating the transport vehicle in contracted and expanded condition;

[0020]FIGS. 16 and 17 are enlarged, elevational views showing therelative positions assumed by selected components of the transportvehicle when the transport vehicle is respectively in contracted andexpanded condition; and

[0021]FIG. 18 is a greatly enlarged, cross-sectional view taken alongline 18-18 in FIG. 16.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0022] Referring now to the drawings, a collapsible boat 10 isillustrated.

[0023] Boat 10 has first and second alternative configurations, the boatbeing wider in the first configuration thereof (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,for example) than in the second configuration thereof (shown in FIGS. 3and 4, for example).

[0024] The boat 10 includes a boat deck having center deck panels 12, 14disposed side-by-side and outer deck panels 16, 18. Outer deck panel 16is disposed alongside center deck panel 12, the center deck panel 12located between the center deck panel 14 and outer deck panel 16. Outerdeck panel 18 is disposed alongside the center deck panel 14, the centerdeck panel 14 positioned between the center deck panel 12 and the outerdeck panel 18. The deck panels suitably include solid top portions overopen framework portions.

[0025] When the boat is in non-collapsed condition for use as a boat,the panels 12, 14, 16 and 18 are all oriented horizontally and are inthe same plane. They can be seen in this condition in FIGS. 1, 2 and 10for example. When, however, the boat is to be collapsed for storage ortransport, the center deck panels are moved from a horizontalorientation to a vertical orientation as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 13, forexample.

[0026] Supporting the deck panels 12, 14 are central support portions 20of three spaced boat deck supports. Side support portions 22, 24 thereofrespectively support panels 16 and 18.

[0027] A center pontoon 26 is affixed to and extends downwardly from thecentral support portions 20 of the boat deck supports. On the otherhand, side pontoons 28, 30 are attached to and depend from the sidesupport portions 22, 24, respectively. Since the three boat decksupports employed in the collapsible boat structure are identical, onlyone such boat deck support will be described in detail.

[0028] With particular reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, central supportportion 20 is illustrated as being in the form of a housing formed bytwo spaced side plates 32 extending parallel to one another above centerpontoon 26. Upper and lower rollers 34 are located at the ends of theplates and extend therebetween. Side support 22 comprises arectangular-shaped channel member extending between the upper and lowerrollers and partially into the interior of the central support portiondefined by the side plates 32. Side support portion 24 is of the sameconstruction as side support portion 22 and extends between the sideplates 32 parallel to side support portion 22. The side support portions22, 24 are separated by suitable spacers 36 made out oftetrafluoroethylene for example. The side plates 32 are affixed to thepontoon 26 by structural elements including connector plates 40. Similarconnector plates are employed to attach the pontoons 28, 30 to the sidesupport portions associated therewith. An important distinction exists,however, in that the connector plates associated with the side pontoons28, 30 extend and are attached to the respective outer deck panels. Thisis to be distinguished from the connector plates 40 associated withcenter pontoon 26 which are not affixed to the center deck panels 12, 14but merely provide support therefor when the center deck panels 12, 14are horizontally disposed.

[0029] It may be seen from the above that the slidable interconnectionbetween the central support portion 20 and the side support portions 22,24 enables the side support portions to selectively either be movedtoward one another and toward the central support portion or away fromone another and away from the central support portion.

[0030] Relative movement of the outer deck panels 16, 18 is effected bya jack screw 44 which may be suitably powered, the jack screw having aselectively retractable or extendable elongated screw member 46associated therewith.

[0031] As may perhaps best be seen with reference to FIG. 5, wherein theupper solid portion of the boat deck has been removed, leaving only thelower deck open framework, jack screw 44 is attached to outer deck panel16 while the distal end of the elongated screw member 46 is attached toouter deck panel 18 by a mechanical linkage including a connector rod 48extending a substantial length along outer deck panel 18.

[0032] Also incorporated in the mechanical linkage are a plurality ofsets of link arms generally designated by reference numeral 50. The linkarms of each set thereof are pivotally interconnected to one another andlocated along connector rod 48. FIGS. 10-13 illustrate these link armsin detail.

[0033] FIGS. 10-13 show sequentially what happens when the elongatedscrew member 46 is retracted to pull the outer deck panels 16, 18 towardone another. The linkage 50 associated with and interconnecting centerdeck panel 14 and outer deck panel 18 will cause the center deck panel14 to gradually be raised to a vertical orientation as shown in FIG. 13.A hinge 52 interconnects the center deck panels 12, 14 so that deckpanel 12 also moves to a vertical orientation alongside center deckpanel 14. The center deck panels 12, 14 are hingedly connected to theirrespective outer deck panels by hinges 53 to allow pivotal movementbetween the center deck panels and the outer deck panels. When thecenter deck panels 12, 14 are vertically disposed they project upwardlyfrom center pontoon 26 and from the central support portions of the boatdeck supports.

[0034] As may perhaps best be-seen with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, thehinge 52 has slots 54 formed therein which accommodate bolts 56providing the interconnection between the hinge and the center deckpanels 12, 14. The slots allow some relative movement between the hingeand the center deck panels, the locking nuts 57 associated with thebolts not being tightened to a degree that would impair such relativemovement. Spacers 58 are located at the adjacent distal ends of thecenter deck panels to maintain a space therebetween. This arrangementallows the ends of the center deck panels to clear one another whenmoving from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation so thatbinding which might otherwise interfere with the operation will not takeplace. When the screw jack 49 is actuated to retract the elongated screwmember 46 and the center deck panels are in a horizontal orientation,the above-described linkage 50 first applies an upward force to the twocenter panels and the free ends are raised a relatively small distanceuntil the bases of the center panels make contact, occupying the spacebetween the center panels created by the spacers. This results from theability of the center panels to move relative to the hinge 52. Untilbase contact between the center panels takes place, there is no movementof the outer deck panels toward one another. Once however center panelbase contact takes place, the outer deck panels are pulled toward oneanother and movement of the center deck panels to a vertical orientationis completed.

[0035] Outward movement of the pontoons 28, 30 and return of the centerdeck panels to a horizontal orientation is readily accomplished byactuating the screw jack 44 to extend elongated screw member 46.

[0036] The system of the present invention includes a transport vehicle60 which in the illustrated embodiment is a trailer. Trailer 60 is forsupporting and transporting collapsible boat 10 on land. The collapsibleboat is completely separable from the trailer whereby the boat may beplaced afloat completely separate from the trailer.

[0037] Trailer 60 includes a wheeled frame 62 including three structuralcross channels or trackways 64 in the nature of I beams fixed inposition relative to the rest of the frame. Affixed to and projectingupwardly from the centers of the cross channels are pontoon cradles 66.Each cradle 66 is formed by two diverging cradle elements 68. Thecradles 66 define recesses which accommodate the center pontoon 26 ofthe boat.

[0038] Trailer 60 also includes pontoon supports 70, 72 also in the formof cradles. Cradles 70, 72 accommodate side pontoons 28, 30,respectively, therein. Each of the cradles 70, 72 includes not only thediverging cradle elements but also a base element 76 from which thediverging cradle elements extend having wheels 78 rotatably mountedthereon. Wheels 78 are located in opposed recesses of the cross channels64.

[0039] From the above, it will be seen that the cradles 70, 72 are freeto move toward or away from the fixed central cradle 66. Stops 80 areemployed to limit movement of the cradles 70, 72 relative to the trailerframe.

[0040] Widening of the trailer 60 will allow the trailer to accommodatethe boat 10 when the boat is in its wide configuration. Similarly, thecradles of the trailer can be moved to narrow the trailer to accommodatethe boat when it is in narrow condition. When the boat carried by thetrailer is changed between the two configurations, the trailer cradleswill readily allow this and adapt the configuration of the trailer tothat of the boat.

[0041] In this arrangement, the fixed central cradle 66 and the fixedcenter pontoon cooperate to maintain a highly stable relationshipbetween the trailer and boat supported thereby, even during widening orcontracting of the combined trailer and boat. Forces exerted duringthese activities are focused on and are resolved at the location of themost stable structural components of the combined boat and trailer.

The invention claimed is:
 1. In combination: a collapsible boat havingalternative first and second configurations, said collapsible boat beingwider in said first configuration than in said second configuration,said collapsible boat having a boat deck and including a center pontoon,a first side pontoon and a second side pontoon, said center pontoon,said first side pontoon and said second side pontoon being located belowsaid boat deck with said first side pontoon and said second side pontoondisposed on opposed sides of said center pontoon, said first sidepontoon and said second side pontoon being selectively movable toward oraway from one another and toward or away from said center pontoon, saidfirst and second side pontoons being further from each other and fromsaid center pontoon when said collapsible boat is in said firstconfiguration than when said collapsible boat is in said secondconfiguration; a transport vehicle for receiving said collapsible boatand for supporting and transporting said collapsible boat on land whensaid collapsible boat is not afloat, said collapsible boat beingcomplete separable from said transport vehicle whereby said collapsibleboat may be placed afloat completely separate from said transportvehicle, said transport vehicle including movable first and secondpontoon supports for respectively removably receiving, accommodating andsupporting said first side pontoon and said second side pontoon whensaid transport vehicle supports said collapsible boat and additionallyincluding a third pontoon support for removably receiving, accommodatingand supporting said center pontoon when said transport vehicle supportssaid collapsible boat; and mover means for selectively causing movementof said first side pontoon and said second side pontoon toward or awayfrom each other and toward and away from said central pontoon and forsubstantially simultaneously selectively changing the configuration ofsaid boat to either said first configuration or said secondconfiguration.
 2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein saidtransport vehicle includes a transport vehicle frame, said third pontoonsupport being fixedly connected to said transport vehicle frame.
 3. Thecombination according to claim 1 wherein said collapsible boat includesa boat deck support disposed below said boat deck, said boat decksupport including a central support portion and side support portions,said side support portions moving toward said central support portionwhen said collapsible boat moves from said first configuration to saidsecond configuration, said center pontoon being fixedly connected tosaid central support portion and said first side pontoon and said secondside pontoon being connected to and movable with said side supportportions.
 4. The combination according to claim 3 wherein said boat deckincludes first and second center deck panels disposed side-by-side andfirst and second outer deck panels, said first outer deck panel beingdisposed alongside said first center deck panel and said first centerdeck panel being positioned between said second center deck panel andsaid first outer deck panel, said second outer deck panel being disposedalongside said second center deck panel and said second center deckpanel being positioned between said first center deck panel and saidsecond outer deck panel, said first and second center deck panels movingfrom a substantially horizontal orientation to a substantially verticalorientation when said mover means changes the configuration of saidcollapsible boat from said first configuration to said secondconfiguration, said first and second center deck panels when in saidsubstantially vertical orientation being disposed above and projectingupwardly away from said central support portion and said center pontoon.5. The combination according to claim 4 wherein said mover meansincludes a jack screw having a selectively retractable or extendableelongated screw member connected thereto, said jack screw being attachedto one of said first and second outer deck panels and said elongatedscrew member extending from said jack screw and attached to the other ofsaid first and second outer deck panels.
 6. The combination according toclaim 5 wherein said mover means additionally includes mechanicallinkage interconnecting at least one of said first and second outer deckpanels to an adjacent one of said first and second center deck panelsfor pivoting the interconnected outer and center deck panels uponretraction of said elongated screw member and movement of said firstouter deck panel and said second outer deck panel toward one another. 7.The combination according to claim 1 wherein said first, second andthird pontoon supports comprise cradles defining recesses receiving thefirst side pontoon, the second side pontoon and the center pontoon.
 8. Acollapsible boat having alternative first and second configurations,said collapsible boat being wider in said first configuration than insaid second configuration, said collapsible boat having a boat deck andincluding a center pontoon, a first side pontoon and a second sidepontoon, said center pontoon, said first side pontoon and said secondside pontoon being located below said boat deck with said first sidepontoon and said second side pontoon disposed on opposed sides of saidcenter pontoon, said first side pontoon and said second side pontoonbeing selectively movable toward or away from one another and toward oraway from said center pontoon, said first and second side pontoons beingfurther apart from each other and from said center pontoon when saidcollapsible boat is in said first configuration than when saidcollapsible boat is in said second configuration, said collapsible boatincluding a boat deck support disposed below said boat deck, said boatdeck support including a central support portion and side supportportions, said side support portions moving toward said central supportportion when said collapsible boat moves from said first configurationto said second configuration, said center pontoon being fixedlyconnected to said central support portion and said first side pontoonand said second side pontoon being connected to and movable with saidside support portions.
 9. The combination according to claim 8 whereinsaid boat deck includes first and second center deck panels disposedside-by-side and first and second outer deck panels, said first outerdeck panel being disposed alongside said first center deck panel andsaid first center deck panel being positioned between said second centerdeck panel and said first outer deck panel, said second outer deck panelbeing disposed alongside said second center deck panel and said secondcenter deck panel being positioned between said first center deck paneland said second outer deck panel, said first and second center deckpanels moving from a substantially horizontal orientation to asubstantially vertical orientation when the configuration of saidcollapsible boat changes from said first configuration to said secondconfiguration, said first and second center deck panels when in saidsubstantially vertical orientation being disposed above and projectingupwardly away from said central support portion and said center pontoon.10. A transport trailer for receiving, supporting and transporting acollapsible boat having alternative first and second configurations,said collapsible boat being wider in said first configuration than insaid second configuration, said collapsible boat having a boat deck andincluding a center pontoon, a first side pontoon and a second sidepontoon, said center pontoon, said first side pontoon and said secondside pontoon being located below said boat deck with said first sidepontoon and said second side pontoon disposed on opposed sides of saidcenter pontoon, said first side pontoon and said second side pontoonbeing selectively movable toward or away from one another and toward oraway from said center pontoon, said first and second pontoons beingfurther apart from each other and from said center pontoon when saidcollapsible boat is in said first configuration than when saidcollapsible boat is in said second configuration, said transport vehicleincluding movable first and second pontoon supports for respectivelyremovably receiving, accommodating and supporting said first sidepontoon and said second side pontoon when said transport vehiclesupports said collapsible boat and additionally including a thirdpontoon support for removably receiving, accommodating and supportingsaid center pontoon when said transport vehicle supports saidcollapsible boat, said transport vehicle including a transport vehicleframe, said third pontoon support being fixedly connected to saidtransport vehicle frame.
 11. The combination according to claim 10wherein said first, second and third pontoon supports comprise cradlesdefining recesses for receiving the first side pontoon, the second sidepontoon and the center pontoon of the collapsible boat.